Barnsley: How McGeehan loan experience could help Reds promotion push

Neil Goulding

Barnsley midfielder Cameron McGeehan admits he set himself up for a fall last season.

The creative midfielder joined the Reds last summer after a successful period at Luton Town.

Cameron McGeehan

McGeehan suffered a horror leg-break during his time at Kenilworth Road, against Portsmouth in January 2017, and has previously admitted he struggled at the start of his Reds career with a lack of fitness.

The player was shipped off to Scunthorpe United on loan in January after failing to make his mark at Oakwell as Barnsley were relegated from the Championship.

McGeehan reflected: “I had big expectations of myself. I thought I’d go to Barnsley and get straight in the team, score goals and pick up where I left off, but it’s not like that.

“I think I understand that now and realise I was a bit over-ambitious maybe.

“I think, given a bit more time or a few more games, a bit more fitness or a bit more time to gather momentum, I would have had a better season.

“But, like I said, it wasn’t to be and you have your different paths and different journeys. I think there’s a reason for everything.”

While at Scunthorpe, McGeehan was part of the Iron’s promotion push before they missed out in the play-offs.

The 23-year-old added: “I had first-hand experience last season of a top-end League One team that probably should have been promoted, but didn’t towards the end.

“I have a great experience of League One now and I think I can use that to my advantage this year.

“I’ve seen the league, seen what it’s all about and obviously had the experience of the Championship as well, which is good. So I know what we’re aiming for and I think we can give it a good shot this season. We’ve got a really good squad of players and I’m looking forward to getting the games going.”